DE20017442U1 - Transfer station for tank systems - Google Patents

Description

Alois Anetsberger J · · JJJ';;;;

Transfer station for tank systems

11.10.2000

The invention relates to a transfer station for tank systems, in particular for filling and emptying points at tank systems as well as tank farms, where there are insufficient structural requirements, e.g. floor sealing for the requirements for tank farms, which in Germany are regulated in federal and state regulations for the protection of waters (WHG), in storage regulations of the states (VAwS) and in the "Technical Rules for Flammable Liquids" (TRbF).

According to the state of the art, the floor of a filling station must be designed in such a way that leaking water-polluting liquids can be detected and removed and cannot enter a surface body of water, an unsuitable sewage system or the soil. The floor surface must be sufficiently dense and resistant to the water-polluting liquids to be transferred and to the expected mechanical stresses.

These requirements are considered to be met, for example, if the filling area is limited by gradients, inlet channels or upstands and the floor areas meet strict safety regulations with regard to material thickness and material quality (e.g. reinforced concrete of minimum quality B 35, etc.). The floor areas must be checked regularly by the operator for visible damage. Damage must be repaired immediately. The inspection of the tightness of the floor areas must be included in the inspections of the filling or emptying point by the expert.

A further requirement is that the limits must provide a retention volume that is sufficient when filling transport tanks from above via a quick-closing device that can only be operated using the dead man's principle or when filling transport tanks that are equipped with an overfill protection device or an overflow protection device in a closed system at transfer points that are equipped with a

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Quick-closing device (emergency stop) in the operating area of the filling and emptying devices, only needs to be minimal.

Appropriate measures must also be taken to prevent contaminated rainwater from entering the soil or a body of water. This is achieved, for example, if the drains in the area of the filling station (outside the transfer area) are equipped with separators with automatic closure.

The invention is therefore based on the problem of creating a transfer station for tank systems, in particular for filling and emptying points of tank systems as well as tank farms, without the need for further complex ground sealing with drainage systems.

This problem is solved with the features listed in claim 1. Advantageous further developments of the inventive concept emerge from the subclaims.

The use of the invention ensures a high level of flexibility, and there are no costs for dismantling measures when changing locations. The conversion of a transfer station can be completed within a week using the transfer station. The conversion from the conventional transfer system to operation with the transfer station is therefore carried out in the shortest possible time, so that the downtime of the tank farm operation is kept to a minimum. The use of powerful pumps can also significantly reduce the turnaround times for operations.

By using the transfer station according to the invention, all relevant safety requirements for filling and emptying approved road tankers with water-polluting flammable liquids of hazard classes AI, All, AIII and B and water-polluting non-flammable liquids from one or more underground or above-ground storage tanks or combinations thereof, as well as

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the possibility of emptying two tankers at the same time.

The invention enables filling and emptying of road tankers, particularly those with a bottom-loading system and dry coupling (bottom filling). The coverable deflector plate with side edges acts as a hose guide and provides effective protection for the ground between the transfer station and the location of the tanker. It ensures ground protection in the event of a leak by directing the conveyed product via the deflector plate into the collecting tray of the transfer station. The traditionally required, time-consuming filling from above via a filling boom system can be eliminated, which contributes significantly to the safety of the operating personnel. The operating personnel no longer have to expose themselves to extreme weather conditions during the filling process.

Furthermore, the transfer station can optionally be equipped with a collecting tray and dispensing device. The collecting tray with dispensing device was developed in conjunction with the type-approved transfer station in order to enable tank trucks to be filled and emptied as well as to supply them with operating materials.

According to the regulations of the federal states (VAwS), a specific design with a retention volume must be provided for refueling vehicles. The new development presented here, in conjunction with the transfer station, replaces the conventional design for refueling the above-mentioned vehicles and is described in more detail below:

The use of the collecting tray with the dispensing device is only intended in conjunction with the type-approved transfer station.

The type-approved transfer station stands on steel profiles. The above-mentioned tray is guided with rollers in the steel profiles, directly under the hose lock. This concept

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This ensures that the tray is easy to handle and is pushed under the hose lock after the refueling process has been completed. Here the tray is protected from the weather. The collecting tray is preferably made of the material S 235 JR in a dimensionally stable design.

To ensure safety, the tank is preferably designed with gratings. The length of the filling hose including the filling valve does not exceed the length of the tank when it is extended. The refueling process cannot be started until the tank is fully extended. This is ensured by a limit switch. The tank is also equipped with an oil-water probe to detect leaks. The oil-water probe ensures that the refueling process is not possible if there is liquid in the tank. By limiting the length of the filling hose, it is ensured that the tank filler neck and the front edge of the operating fluid tank are above the tank during refueling.

If this placement is not correct, refueling is not possible due to the specified length of the fuel hose.

Furthermore, refueling is only carried out in conjunction with a self-closing nozzle approved for use with diesel fuel. In addition to the self-closing nozzle and the oil-water probe, constant monitoring is also ensured by the automatic emergency shutdown (ANA) on the transfer station side. The probe and ANA are integrated into the overall monitoring concept of the type-approved transfer station. This refueling concept ensures that drip losses are safely collected and that there is sufficient retention volume.

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An embodiment of the invention is explained using figures 1 to 6. Here:

a plan view of the transfer station according to the invention;

a side view of the transfer station;

another side view of the transfer station;

a schematic representation of the piping plan;

a perspective view of the coverable deflector plate;

a schematic representation of the satellite to the transfer station;

Fig. 1 Fig. 2 Fig. . 3 Fig. 4 Fig. 5

Fig. 6

Fig. 7 : a side view of the adapter.

The transfer station is preferably used in conjunction with storage tanks according to DIN 6608, DIN 6616, DIN 6618, DIN 6619, DIN 6624, DIN 6625, DIN 4119 and other type-approved tanks 40 in the arrangement as a single tank and as a tank group.

The transfer station 1 is a structurally self-contained structure with a retention volume of the collecting tray 2 of preferably < 1000 liters. The collecting tray 2 of the transfer station is designed to be liquid-tight. An oil-water warning probe 10 is installed to detect leaks. A light grid 22 installed above the tray in the transfer station serves to ensure safety when walking.

Access to the transfer station 1 is via a fire-retardant door 3, which preferably opens outwards. A hose lock 4 is installed in front of this door 3. It consists of a liquid-tight steel collecting tray 5, the retention volume of which is preferably <1000 liters and in which an oil-water probe 11 is also installed on the bottom of the tray. The steel collecting tray 5 is equipped with a light grid 30

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covered. The access to the lock 4 can be closed with a roller shutter 6.

Above the light grid 30 in the lock 4 there is a coverable deflector plate 29 which is hung in the fitting box under the dry coupling on the tanker side in a tanker (not shown) before the filling or transfer process begins. The tanker hose 12 from the lock 4 to the tanker is safely guided into this coverable deflector plate 29. It ensures soil protection in the event of a leak by directing the conveyed product via the deflector plate 29 into the collecting tray 5 of the lock 4. The oil-water probe 11 switches off the transfer station 1 immediately.

The lock 4 with the flexible, coverable deflector plate 29 provides sufficient ground protection between the transfer station 1 and the location of the tank vehicle during the filling or emptying process.

Furthermore, lock 4 is the operating location for the tanker driver and offers protection from the weather during the filling or discharge process.

From here, the filling and removal process is acknowledged at 30-second intervals, which also ensures constant monitoring by the tanker driver.

In the lock 4, the oil-water warning probe 11 is installed next to the wall plug fitting for the limit switches 15 of the variously connected storage containers 40. This means that an electrical circuit is implemented in the transfer station 1, which also ensures that the tank vehicle is safely switched off in the event of leaks in the transfer station 1 in addition to preventing the tank system from being overfilled.

In steel profiles 43 directly below the hose lock 4, the collecting tray 41 for the dispensing device is mounted with rollers

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42. To ensure safety, the above-mentioned collecting tray 41 is designed with gratings 44. An oil-water warning sensor 45 is installed in the above-mentioned collecting tray 41.

This means that an electrical circuit is implemented in the transfer station 1, which ensures that the dispensing device is safely switched off in the event of leaks or overfilling of the operating fluid tank.

The existing interior and exterior lighting 17 allows safe operation even in the dark.

The transfer station 1 is equipped with an electrical connection of preferably 400 V. The system is controlled by means of a "programmable logic controller" (PLC) 21.

All fittings and pipes are preferably at nominal pressure
PN 16.

The entire system is subjected to a leak test and functional check at the factory.

The transfer station 1 can be operated in different modes:

- Emptying the tanker using a free gradient;

- Emptying the tank vehicle using pump 7 in the transfer station 1;

- Emptying the tanker using the pump in the tanker.

- Filling the tanker using pump 7 in the transfer station 1.

- Filling the tanker using the pump in the tanker.

If the transfer station is used exclusively for emptying and filling tank trucks using the tank truck pump, the empty hose on the system side is connected to

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the tanker coupling. The empty hose on the system side is equipped with non-return valves (flap, valve) on both sides. In this operating mode, the machine room and hose lock can preferably be designed as a unit (i.e. as a common collecting space).

The transfer station can also be used to pump water-polluting liquids within a container/tank 40 or from one container/tank 40 to another.

In order to empty two tankers simultaneously, a satellite 46 can be connected to the lock 4 via a fixed overhead line 47. The safety device of the satellite is integrated into the existing safety system in such a way that unauthorized operation is not possible.

The satellite 46 with the flexible, coverable deflector plate 29 provides sufficient ground protection between the transfer station 1 and the location of the tank vehicle during the emptying process.

Furthermore, satellite 46 is the control point for the tanker driver and offers protection from the weather during the extraction process.

From here, the withdrawal process is acknowledged at 30-second intervals, which also ensures constant monitoring by the tanker driver.

In the satellite 46, the oil-water warning probe 48 is installed next to the wall plug fitting for the limit switches 15 of the variously connected storage containers 40. This means that an electrical circuit is implemented in the transfer station 1, which also ensures that the tank vehicle is safely shut off in the event of leaks in the transfer station 1 in addition to preventing the tank system from being overfilled.

The satellite 46 consists of a liquid-tight steel collecting tray 49, the retention volume of which is preferably <1000

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litres and in which an oil-water probe 48 is also installed on the bottom of the tank. The steel collecting tank 49 is also covered with a light grid. The access to the satellite can also preferably be closed with a roller shutter 6.

Above the light grid in the satellite 46 there is a coverable deflector plate 29 which is hung in the fitting box under the dry coupling on the tanker side in a tank vehicle (not shown) before the start of the filling or transfer process.

The personal monitoring of the filling and emptying process is ensured by a safety device, the function of which is analogous to an "automatic emergency shutdown".

Emptying a tanker into above-ground and/or underground containers 40 is carried out either via the installed pump 7, using the tanker pump or by gravity. The product flows from the tanker into the connected container 40.

The emptying process is only released if a container-side limit switch is connected to the tank vehicle, the control of the transfer station is switched on and the following operating states are set:

- No leakage report pending;

- There is no fault.

Illogical operating states lead to a fault message and shutdown of the entire process.

In the event that the tank vehicle does not have a quick-closing device, the vehicle can be locked by means of an inserted adapter with quick-closing valve 51. The above-mentioned adapter with quick-closing valve 51 is inserted between the discharge coupling 52 of the tank vehicle and the dry coupling of the transfer station 13.

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Only one storage container 40 can be filled in one direction at a time; all other storage containers 40 are locked by the system control system (exclusion principle). Shut-off valve 24 in the filling line and shut-off valve 24 in the emptying line of the non-controlled containers 40 remain closed during the emptying process.

If all operating conditions allow emptying of the tank vehicle, the indicator light 28 "Operation" flashes at short intervals.

After pressing the "ON" button 27 on the control cabinet or on the control panel, the individual operating modes are enabled by a corresponding control system as required. After 30 seconds, the operator is prompted to press the "ON" button 27 again by the flashing of the indicator light 28. If the button is not pressed, the pump 7 or the tank truck pump switches off after a further ten seconds; regardless of the operating mode, all shut-off valves are closed.

The following steps are carried out to ensure a trouble-free emptying process:

1.Install the deflector plate 29 between lock 4 and tank vehicle.

2.Connection of a dry coupling 13 to the tank vehicle.

3.Connection of the selected container-side overfill protection device to the tank vehicle.

4.Select the operating mode using the button.

5.Open the quick-closing valve on the tanker.

6.Start the emptying process by pressing button 27.

The storage tanks 40 are equipped with an overfill protection device. When the limit value is reached, the feed pump 7 or the tank truck pump in the corresponding operating mode

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switched off and all shut-off valves go into the safe state; at the same time, the quick-closing valve on the tank vehicle is closed. (Fail-safe principle).

After completion of the emptying process, the dry coupling 13 is released and fixed with the hose 12 to a holder 20 provided for this purpose in the lock 4.

The verifiable discharge of small quantities from the tank vehicle into the storage tank 40 is possible via the full hose system 14 in conjunction with the overfill protection device.

During filling, the product is pumped from the selected storage container 40 into the tank vehicle by means of the pump 7 or the tank truck pump.

The filling process can only be started if the tanker-side overfill protection device 29 is connected to the transfer station, the control of the transfer station is switched on and the following operating states are set:

- no leakage report is pending,

- there is no fault,

- quick-closing valve on the tanker is open.

- no illogical operating states are displayed.

The shut-off valves 25 in all discharge lines and the shut-off valves 24 of the non-controlled containers 40 in the filling lines remain closed during this process.

Illogical operating states lead to a fault message (“Fault” indicator light on) and to the shutdown of the process. After the fault has been eliminated, the fault message must be acknowledged using the button (“Acknowledge fault”).

If all operating conditions allow safe filling of the tank vehicle, the indicator light 28 "Operation" flashes at long intervals.

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After pressing the "ON" button 27 on the control cabinet or on the control panel, the pump 7 or the tank truck pump is put into operation. After 30 seconds, the operator is prompted to press the "ON" button 27 again by the flashing operating message 28. If the button is not pressed, the pump 7 or the tank truck pump switches off after a further ten seconds.

The following steps are required for a trouble-free filling process:

1.Install the deflector plate 29 between the lock and the tank vehicle.

2.Connection of the dry coupling 13 to the tank vehicle.

3.Connect the overfill protection device 29 of the tank vehicle to the transfer station.

4.Open the quick-closing valve on the tanker.

The filling process is started electrically by pressing a button 27, so that the feed pump 7 or the tank truck pump starts operating or is released. When the maximum fill level in the tank truck is reached, the overfill protection device installed in the tank truck is activated, at the same time the quick-closing valve in the tank truck is closed and the feed pump 7 in the transfer station 1 or the tank truck pump is switched off.

The overfill protection ensures that the feed pump 7 or the tank truck pump is switched off safely and that the shut-off valves are closed at the same time.

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Claims (19)

1. Transfer station for tank systems, with at least one tank ( 40 ), at least one valve ( 24 , 25 ), at least one line from the tank ( 40 ) to the valve ( 26 ) and a hose line ( 12 ) from the valve ( 24 , 25 ) to a tank vehicle, characterized in that
this comprises a structurally self-contained housing with a liquid-tight collecting tray ( 2 ),
in which a fluid warning probe ( 10 ) is provided which, in the event of a trigger signal, blocks at least one valve ( 24 , 25 ) and/or switches off a feed pump ( 7 ) or a tank truck pump,
a deflector plate ( 29 ) is provided which can be arranged obliquely between the transfer station ( 1 ) and the tank vehicle below the hose line ( 12 ) so that the end on the transfer station side is below the end on the tank vehicle side and the end on the transfer station side opens into the collecting tray ( 2 ). 2. Transfer station according to claim 1, characterized in that the tanker-side end of the hose line ( 12 ) is provided with a dry coupling ( 13 ). 3. Transfer station according to claim 1, characterized in that a closing contact of the fluid warning probe ( 10 ), ( 11 ), ( 48 ) is connected in series in a line wire of a connecting cable of a limit value transmitter ( 52 ) to a separately mounted wall connection fitting ( 15 ). 4. Transfer station according to claim 2, characterized in that the dry coupling ( 13 ) is connected via an adapter ( 50 ) to tank vehicles without a connection for the dry coupling ( 13 ). 5. Transfer station according to claim 4, characterized in that the adapter ( 50 ) is equipped with a quick-closing valve ( 51 ). 6. Transfer station according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing of the transfer station ( 1 ) has at least one ventilation opening ( 23 ). 7. Transfer station according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing comprises a main housing and a hose lock ( 4 ), between which a fire-retardant door ( 3 ) is provided. 8. Transfer station according to claim 4, characterized in that the hose lock ( 4 ) comprises a separate liquid-tight steel collecting tray ( 5 ) in which a further fluid probe ( 11 ) is provided which, in the event of a trigger signal, blocks the valve ( 24 , 25 ) and/or switches off the feed pump ( 7 ) or the tank truck pump. 9. Transfer station according to claim 1 or 5, characterized in that a light grid ( 22 , 30 ) is arranged above each of the collecting troughs ( 2 , 5 ). 10. Transfer station according to claim 1, characterized in that the access to the hose lock ( 4 ) can be closed via a roller blind ( 6 ). 11. Transfer station according to claim 1, characterized in that the coverable deflector plate ( 29 ) is a separate component which can preferably be suspended in a fitting box on the tank truck side. 12. Transfer station according to claim 1, characterized in that the coverable deflector plate ( 29 ) is pivotably mounted on the transfer station side about a horizontal axis. 13. Transfer station according to claim 9, characterized in that the coverable deflector plate ( 29 ) is displaceable in the axial direction of the pivot axis. 14. Transfer station according to claim 1, characterized in that a holder ( 19 ) for the hose ( 12 ) and a holder ( 20 ) for the dry coupling ( 13 ) are mounted inside the hose lock ( 4 ). 15. Transfer station according to claim 11, characterized in that the holder ( 20 ) for the dry coupling ( 13 ) is pan-shaped with a drain hole. 16. Transfer station according to claim 1, characterized in that a separate liquid-tight extendable steel collecting tray ( 41 ) with rollers ( 42 ) is installed under the hose lock ( 4 ), in which a further fluid probe ( 45 ) is provided which switches off the dispensing device for vehicle refueling when a trigger signal is received. 17. Transfer station according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a satellite ( 46 ) with a separate liquid-tight steel collecting tray ( 49 ) in which a further fluid probe ( 48 ) is provided which, in the event of a trigger signal, blocks the valve ( 24 , 25 ) and/or switches off the feed pump ( 7 ) or the tank truck pump. 18. Transfer station according to claim 17, characterized in that the satellite ( 46 ) is connected to the transfer station ( 1 ) via a pipeline ( 47 ). 19. Transfer station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fluid conveyed is a water-endangering flammable liquid of hazard classes AI, AII, AIII and B and a water-endangering non-flammable liquid.